cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/9702715
Following a spill of a green liquid on the grounds of the CATL battery factory in Debrecen (eastern Hungary), Hungarian authorities are taking action. The TISZA government is warning of serious health risks and putting pressure on the Chinese battery giant.
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The Hajdú-Bihar County Government [in Hungary] launched proceedings against the Chinese battery manufacturer CATL on Friday. The reason for this is an incident on the evening of May 5, 2026, in which the company discharged “green liquid waste” into the local sewer system in violation of regulations.
As an immediate consequence, the responsible water authority revoked the permit for the plant’s industrial wastewater pre-treatment. In addition, the company was legally required to clean the affected municipal sewage network as well as the stormwater drainage system.
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The incident has gained significant explosive power due to the shifting political power dynamics in Hungary. Zsolt Tárkányi, a TISZA MP from Debrecen, had previously alerted the public that dangerous chemicals had been detected in the liquid gushing from the ground—including the teratogenic solvent NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), which is used in battery production. With the TISZA party behind them, these allegations now carry the weight of state authority.
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